Dingell rebuts claims that he said purpose of health care reform is to "control" the American people

Conservative media figures have asserted that in a March 22 interview, Rep. John Dingell said health care reform will "control the people." In fact, Dingell has said that conservatives are taking him out of context and has explained that he was referring to "overseeing" the "insurance companies."

Dingell said "it takes a long time" to enact health care reform

Dingell stated of the implementation of the health care bill: "[i]t takes a long time to do the necessary administrative steps that have to be taken to put the legislation together to control the people." In the March 23 interview, Dingell was talking about the length of time it takes to implement such a complex law:

HOST: Are we ready to let 72,000 more people die in our country, if 18,000 died or whatever the number is, the figure that anyone comes up with, per year because of a lack of health insurance or health care, when this bill doesn't basically take effect until 2014?

DINGELL: Paul W., we're not ready to be doing it. But let me remind you, this has been going on for years. We are bringing it to a halt. The harsh fact of the matter is, when you're going to pass legislation that will cover 300 [million] American people in different ways, it takes a long time to do the necessary administrative steps that have to be taken to put the legislation together to control the people.

You know, our Republicans have spent a long time not participating, not helping, harping and delaying. But at the same time, they have contributed nothing to this and have made no offer whatsoever as to what it is they want or what they stand for.

Dingell said that he was talking about "overseeing" the "insurance companies." In a March 24 statement, Dingell said that he "was referring to the insurance companies":

"Right-wing bloggers are attempting to take my words out-of-context in another pathetic attempt to destroy the historic step taken yesterday for our country. During an interview on Paul W. Smith's show, I said:

'The harsh fact of the matter is when you're going to pass legislation that will cover 300 [million] American people in different ways it takes a long time to do the necessary administrative steps that have to be taken to put the legislation together to control the people.'

"If one were to listen to the entire interview, and not just a clip creatively chopped up for political gain, it is obvious that by 'people' I was referring to the insurance companies who we must do a better job of overseeing. Specifically, we are going to end the deplorable practices of those who rescind the health insurance policies of people on gurneys heading into emergency rooms.

American Thinker: "Rep. Dingell: It's taken a long time to 'control the people.' " In a March 24 post on American Thinker, Peter Barry Chowka wrote that Dingell "made an amazing admission" in the interview, and then quoted Dingell's remarks.

Wash. Times: "Off the beaten path online: Rep. Dingell: "It's taken a long time to 'control the people.' " In a March 24 post to The Washington Times' Water Cooler blog, Kerry Picket linked to the American Thinker post and used the American Thinker headline: "Rep. Dingell: It's taken a long time to 'control the people'..."

HotAir: "Dingell: It will take a while for ObamaCare to 'control the people.' " In a March 24 post to Hot Air headlined "Dingell: It will take a while for ObamaCare to 'control the people,' " Ed Morrissey falsely claimed that Dingell stated "that it takes a lot of hard work and preparation to create a system that will 'control the people.' "

Michelle Malkin: "The Demcare control freaks are partying hard." In a March 24 post to her blog headlined "The Demcare control freaks are partying hard," Malkin wrote:

We know what kind of America Democrat dinosaur Sen. John Dingell wants: "The harsh fact of the matter is when you're going to pass legislation that will cover 300 [million] American people in different ways it takes a long time to do the necessary administrative steps that have to be taken to put the legislation together to control the people."

Fox Nation: "Rep. Dingell: "It's Taken a Long Time to 'Control the People.' " A March 34 post to on Fox Nation was headlined "Rep. Dingell: It's Taken a Long Time to 'Control the People' " and linked to the American Thinker post.

RedState: "Control. It's made of Obamacare." In a March 24 post headlined "Control. It's made of Obamacare," RedState blogger Aaron Gardner wrote that "Dingell Spills the Beans" and linked to a portion of Dingell's comments.

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